A Seat in the Room? « InterACT

A Seat in the Room? « InterACT:

A Seat in the Room?

by Lisa Alva Wood

A recent UTLA meeting gets underway. Who will fill open seats in the union’s House of Representatives? (photo by the author)

United Teachers Los Angeles may be on the brink of an unwelcome change.  Currently, there is a groundswell of teachers nominating themselves for the UTLA House of Representatives – teachers who have not been actively involved in UTLA in the past but who are motivated to do something now.  For teachers who are alienated by the current brand of union rhetoric or feel de-professionalized by narrow perspectives, this is a terribly important time.  It’s election time at the union.
The UTLA House of Reps is the policy-making body of the union.  Decisions made here are binding on UTLA leadership.  A UTLA member can nominate herself and likely be “elected” in an uncontested race until November 9.  What an excellent opportunity this is for bringing children and education to the forefront of policy debate, and for hearing education professionals who currently feel alienated or unrepresented.  This is also, perhaps, not in the best interest of the status quo.
Imagine if a critical mass of current teachers – those who were protected from layoffs at underperforming schools